Regional Health Status

Eastern North Carolina Compared to the Rest of the State, 2005

The eastern region of North Carolina continues to be less healthy than the rest of the state. In 2005, 21% of Eastern North Carolinians reported their health as "poor or fair" compared to 18% of citizens in the rest of the state. 1 Death rates in the region are substantially greater than the rest of the state. The age-adjusted 2005 mortality rates in the 41-county Eastern North Carolina region are greater than the rest of the state (59 counties) for virtually all major causes of death.2

Cause of Death

ENC41 to RNC59

ENC29 to RNC71

All Causes

11% greater

12% greater

Heart Disease

20% greater

15% greater

-Coronary Heart Disease

24% greater

10% greater

Cancer All Sites

11% greater

14% greater

-Cancer Trachea, Bronchus, Lung

14% greater

11% greater

-Cancer Colon, Rectum, Anus

16% greater

10% greater

-Cancer Female Breast

24% greater

37% greater

-Cancer Prostate

12% greater

19% greater

-Cancer Cervix

78% greater

84% greater

Stroke

10% greater

14% greater

COPD

4% lesser

same

Diabetes Mellitus

42% greater

38% greater

Other Unintentional Injuries

6% lesser

5% lesser

Unintentional Motor Vehicle Injuries

36% greater

29% greater

Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, nephrosis

21% greater

21% greater

Pneumonia and Influenza

3% lesser

same

Septicemia

21% greater

17% greater

Homicide

28% greater

19% greater

Suicide

1% greater

6% greater

HIV

59% greater

27% greater

In terms of premature mortality, (i.e. years of life lost before age 75), North Carolina ranks 38th among the 50 states.3 With the exception of Virginia, North Carolina ranks above other southern states and also ranks above New Mexico and Nevada. See map for NC county and regional comparisons (pdf)

If the 41-county Eastern North Carolina region were a state, it would rank 47th and would rank above Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia. If the rest of North Carolina (59 counties) were considered alone, it would rank 31st, with a rate similar to Alaska's.